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🏈Off Season Recap
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Aaron Stephens
July 29, 2024
The Gameplan
NFL Off Season Recap
The NFL off season is almost over!! I’m sure I’m not the only one but the off season seems to feel longer and longer every year. However training camp is here, and that means we’re in the home stretch. We’ve witnessed a plethora of wild moves from the falcons drafting Michael Penix Jr. ( which feels like forever ago now) to the Ravens acquiring Derrick Henry. Let’s recap everything that went on this offseason so we’re prepared for a fast approaching Week 1 Kickoff!!
Off season Winners
The Atlanta Falcons Offense:
With the acquisition of former Vikings star Quarterback Kirk Cousins the Falcons are poised to turn their franchise around. (not to mention they have a pretty secure back up plan in the number 8 overall draft pick Michael Penix Jr.). With the likes of Kirk, Bijan, London, Pitts and some newly acquired talent in Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore, I could see the Falcons propelling themselves to one of the top 5 offenses in the NFL.
The Falcons knowing they tampered and only losing a 5th round pick
The Chicago Bears:
I think we can all say that the Chicago Bears are a much improved team from last year. Although, we did think that last season, and the year before that…. I digress. This is head coach Matt Eberflus’s last opportunity to show he has what it takes to lead the Bears to the playoffs. Especially with the addition of basically a brand new core including Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze, Keenan Allen, DeAndre Swift, and Kevin Byard on the defensive side. The Bears are in a prime position to place third in a STACKED NFC North. Can they do it? Probably not, but time will tell.
Stay humble Bears fans
Trevor Lawrence:
Did Trevor Lawrence pull off the biggest robbery in NFL history? The Jags gave Lawrence a mind boggling 5 year $275 million contract with $142 million guaranteed. That’s $55 million a year for a slightly above average quarterback in my opinion. You can make the argument that Urban Meyer did stunt his development but still, a quarter billion dollars for a couple of mediocre years? Now don’t get it twisted, i’m all about players getting paid. I love seeing these young superstars make life changing money. Let’s just hope that this works out for the Jags or it’s going to be another 5 depressing and expensive years in Duval county.
That hair alone is worth $275 million
Off Season Losers
The Dallas Cowboys:
I think I can speak for everyone when I say that this is the Cowboys last chance to do something. Back in April Jerry Jones said something along the lines of “All in”. If all in means signing a 29 year old washed up Zeke Elliot, and not resigning any of your key players then I’d say the cowboys really did go ALL IN. You won’t hear a cowboys fan admit that they’re in shambles but if you look deep into their eyes you can see a glimmer of despair. Anyways F*ck the Cowboys!!
The only feasting Zeke is doing this year
The Buffalo Bills:
The Bills and Josh Allen could see their window of a Super Bowl closing, and fast. Free agency wrecked them this year. Losing both of your top wideouts in Diggs and Davis and two defensive studs in Tre White and Jordan Poyer really stings. They did add some promising talent in Curtis Samuel, Marques Valdes-Scantling and Rasul Douglas being some of their better acquisitions. This Bills Roster does not look the same and it pains me to say this but I don’t see the Bills brining the Lombardi to Buffalo anytime soon.
Josh Allen watching his whole team walk
The NFL:
I’m sure you have all heard of the $4.8 BILLION lawsuit the NFL was part of over the summer. To make a very long story short the NFL was ordered to pay $4.8 billion by a Los Angeles jury for “violating anti-trust laws by distributing out of market Sunday games for a premium subscription.” Don’t ask me why it seems like the NFL is being sued for charging a specific price on a premium product because I have no idea. The NFL appealed this verdict and the case could possibly go to the Supreme Court. The guilty verdict makes the NFL the biggest losers this offseason.
NFL fans thinking they’re getting a payday
NFL Moves you forgot about
There were a lot of crazy moves this offseason. Let’s recap all these moves so you know what to expect in week 1!
Offense:
QB Russell Wilson: Broncos ➡️ Steelers
> 1 year $1.2 million
QB Gardner Minshew: Colts ➡️ Raiders
> 2 years $25 million
QB James Winston: Saints ➡️ Browns
> 1 year $4 million
RB Saquon Barkley: Giants ➡️ Eagles
> 3 years $37.75 million
RB Josh Jacobs: Raiders ➡️ Packers
> 4 years $48 million
RB Derrick Henry: Titans ➡️ Ravens
> 2 yeas $16 million
RB DeAndre Swift: Eagles ➡️ Bears
> 3 years $24 million
WR Calvin Ridley: Jaguars ➡️ Titans
> 4 years $92 million
WR Odell Beckham Jr: Ravens ➡️ Dolphins
> 1 year $3 million
WR Diontae Johnson : Steelers ➡️ Panthers
> Traded to Panthers
TE Austin Hooper: Raiders ➡️ Patriots
> 1 year $3.1 million
TE Mike Gesiki: Patriots ➡️ Bengals
> 1 year $2.5 million
OT Tyron Smith: Cowboys ➡️ Jets
> 1 year $6.5 million
OT Trent Brown: Patriots ➡️ Bengals
> 1 year $4.75 million
Defense:
DT Christian Wilkins: Dolphins ➡️ Raiders
> 4 years $110 million
DT Arik Armstead: 49ers ➡️ Jaguars
> 3 years $51 million
EDGE Danielle Hunter: Vikings ➡️ Texans
> 2 years $49 million
EDGE Chase Young: 49ers ➡️ Saints
> 1 year $13 million
EDGE Johnathan Greenard: Texans ➡️ Vikings
> 4 years $76 million
LB Patrick Queen: Ravens ➡️ Steelers
> 3 years $41 million
LB Bobby Wagner: Seahawks ➡️ Commanders
> 1 year $6.5 million
LB Devin White: Buccaneers ➡️ Eagles
> 1 year $7.5 million
CB L’Jarius Sneed: Chiefs ➡️ Titans
> 4 years $76.4 million
CB Sean Murphy-Bunting: Buccaneers ➡️ Cardinals
> 3 years $25.5 million
CB Tre’Davious White: Bills ➡️ Rams
> 1 year $4.25 million
S Xavier McKinney: Giants ➡️ Packers
> 4 years $68 million
S Jordan Poyer: Bills ➡️ Dolphins
> 1 year $2 million
Fan Zone’s Power Rankings Pre Training Camp
These are my power rankings before the start of training camp. The top 5 is probably pretty similar for everyone. The Chiefs stay at number one and CJ Stroud has the Texans inside the top five probably for the first time ever. I’m being generous by putting the Cowboys at 11. They’ll probably look good in the regular season and i’m sure y’all know what happens after that. The Vikings plummet after losing Kirko and the Panthers round it all out right where they were all last season, #32.
NFL Off Season Trivia⁉️
Did You Know: The Jacksonville Jaguars spent the most money in the 2024 offseason. They spent a staggering $711 million dollars on signings.
Did you know: There were a total of 1,349 players including free agents and draft picks that signed an NFL deal.
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CFB PreGame
CFB Ranking Predictions
Big Games to Watch in Week 1
Clemson @ Georgia
> Saturday, Aug. 31 12pm est on ABC
North Dakota State @ Colorado
> Friday, Aug, 29. 8pm est on ESPN
Notre Dame @ Texas A&M
> Saturday, Aug. 31 7:30pm est on ABC
Penn State @ West Virginia
> Saturday, Aug. 31 12pm est on FOX
Notre Dame @ Texas A&M
> Saturday, Aug. 31 7:30pm est on ABC
USC @ LSU
> Sunday Sept. 1 7:30pm est on ABC
I’m most excited for USC vs. LSU. Two teams with championship aspirations. Two teams that produced the last two heisman winners. Lincoln Riley vs. Brian Kelly AND it’s in Vegas. College Football at its finest!
Check Out These New Threads🔥
Oregon Ducks
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Miami Hurricanes (these are 🔥)
Conclusion and Recommendations
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That concludes the 2024 offseason recap!! Be sure to leave your suggestions and feedback here so we know how to make your guys experience better and more enjoyable. Be sure to subscribe to The Fan Zone and follow us on Instagram to stay updated on the NFL and CFB seasons!
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